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Monday, April 21, 2014

John Gierach's New Book

This blog post marks my 100th entry here at Proven Patterns, and in honor of this (and honestly because I haven't posted in a very long time), I would like to announce a giveaway! All I ask you to do is read the book review below, and comment on the post referencing your thoughts on John Gierach's work (past or present), to be eligible to receive a brand new copy of his book, All Fishermen Are Liars. Giveaway closes Sunday April 27th, please only one comment per person.

Recently I was asked to read and review John Gierach's latest book, and without hesitation I agreed. I have been a fan of John's work ever since my introduction to fly fishing about nine years ago. Over those years I have morphed from a fly fishing newbie, to a nymph/numbers junky, a micro midge madman, a bass and carp-aholic, a bamboo freak, a dry fly 'purist', a spey head, and everything in between. At every stage of my fishing life, John's books have meet me right where I am. I have purchased many of his books at full price, because they are that good.

His latest book, All Fishermen Are Liars, is top notch as usual. The short stories within cover a variety of species and adventures, all written in a style that makes you feel like you are alongside for the journey. Sprinkled tastefully within each narrative lives John's sense of humor and his opinions on life and fishing. My personal affection to John's writing is his ability to speak on the everyday aspects of fly fishing and the larger romantic themes, all in a fresh and energetic tone. Here is one of my favorite paragraphs that exemplifies this, taken from the story New Water. John describes a new stream he has never fished before after he quickly hooks and lands a nice sized fish there...

So the conversation with this new water had begun and we'd hit it off nicely, like a first date that began with a clumsy exchange that we both thought was funny. I can't help but think of trout streams as feminine, but that's not some kind of left-handed gender politics. It's just that this kind of graceful and surprising sweetness calls to mind many of the women I know, but none of the men. Of course, strictly speaking, a trout stream is an inanimate object, but no fisherman really believes that. (page 58)

Every story in John's new book is entertaining and easy to read. He approaches fly fishing from the perspective of someone who really loves the adventure of a trip as much as the fish, and even though he has plenty of bragging rights, remains humble. On the cover there is a quote, "America's best fishing writer." by Steve Bennett. I can't really argue with that.

16 comments:

congrats on your 100th blog post. I'm going to have to call shenanigans on this quotation you excerpted though. The process by which people thoughtlessly gender the landscape has been in the past the gateway to the exploitation of the natural world. It's not left handed gender politics but rather a conflicted dismissal of the physical world!

Been following you on Instagram, Lucas, and am glad to visit your blog. I've added it to my blog roll.

I've only read one Gierach book, "Even Brook Trout get the Blues" and it has grown on me. John is the most quoted fly angler and his great writing and wit is the reason for this. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.

Haven't read his work before but I dig the write up. In fact as far as I know Ive never read fly fishing fiction. That is unless all fishermen truly are liars, then I have read plenty of fly fishing fiction.

I love John Geirach. OK, I do not love him, but I'm terribly fond of his books. I have a couple of his books, old paperbacks, on my bedside table. I will often read a couple of his stories as I'm getting ready for bed.. they are quite calming, a good substitute for time not spent on the water... I agree with this insightful remark, "written in a style that makes you feel like you are alongside for the journey."

When I was 13 I received my first fly rod. An uncle made it for me. He also sent along a book that I loved. I still fish the rod, but the book is long gone. Then about a year, after hearing and seeing a lot of good things about fly fishing author John Gierach, I decided to purchase one of his books and try it out. Well, I came across a chapter I remembered from my long lost book. Needless to say, I was thrilled to rediscover the book and author that first fueled my fly fishing addiction! It was awesome, I couldn't believe it. I didn't think I'd ever read that first fly fishing book again, but now I own several of Gierach's books. Apparently I've been a fan of Geirach for longer than I realized, and I'm looking forward to his newest work.

I read ABG, anything by Gierach. In 'The View from Rat Lake', the chapter called 'The Featureless Disk', he writes " As you'd expect, anglers of all persuasions arrived in flocks, droves, herds, gaggles or whatever you'd call a large congregation of fisherman. In this day and age, we should have a word for that. Any suggestions?

Yes! This from an English fly fishing magazine " an exaggeration of anglers."

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Freelance photographer, writer, film maker, and fly tier living in Northern California.
If you are interested in any of my work feel free to email me at lcarrollphoto@gmail.com.
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